Plumpton

Reg Stone

HORTICULTURAL DEMISE?: This evening (Friday) the local horticultural society will hold its AGM in the village hall at 7.30pm. Over a long period of years this society has flourished, giving pleasure to so many by encouraging gardening and other home activities, introducing some friendly competition amongst devotees and providing much pleasure for so many onlookers who have poured in to see the four annual shows and admire the produce and products that their neighbours have turned out, thus also producing events that have brought our community together. Alas, this could be yet another local initiative to bite the dust, as folk seem to have lost interest and claim that there are simply not enough hours in the day to be able to socialise and take part in community activities. No, it is more important to regard the village as a place to sleep, a base to travel by train, bus or car to work and back, filling in any spare time surfing the net or indulging in the follies of Facebook and Twitter. Actually engaging in a real life activity or meeting up with real people is an unwanted distraction. Unless our Horticultural Society can attract people to help organise its events and participate in its many and varied interests it seems likely to fold. What a tragedy that would be. Apart from humdrum business there will be a social side to the evening to celebrate that stalwart Ken Beard’s 60th anniversary of showing his produce in shows, plus a talk set to music by Paul and Carole Nicholson entitled Into Africa. A glass of wine and refreshments will be available. I have checked, the Apathy Society members could not be bothered to arrange a meeting to clash with this one, so you have no excuse.

LOCAL ART: On Saturday and Sunday members of the Chailey and Newick Painting Group will stage an exhibition of their work in Chailey village hall (on A275) between 10am and 5pm. The official opening will take place at 11am tomorrow (Saturday) by Big Painting Challenge judge Daphne Todd OBE. Work of Plumpton artists will be on view and there will be refreshments and cards for sale. This will be the group’s 10th anniversary exhibition. Proceeds to St Peter and St James Hospice.

GET PAMPERED: Ladies, tomorrow (Saturday) will offer you the chance for a little self-indulgence (you know you deserve it). Honeybees pre-school group stages another Pamper Evening in the village hall starting at 7.30pm. On offer will be nail, facial and body wrap treatments in the small hall. In the main hall there will be stalls selling gorgeous, hand-made and unique gifts, skincare and beauty products, jewellery, cakes, home fragrance and much more and remember that Christmas is just around the corner. Enjoy a glass of wine on arrival and the bar will be open during the evening. Admission costs £5 (to include the glass of wine) and tickets are available in the village shop or on the door.

ROADWORKS: Hastoe Housing Association, through its contractors, will be carrying out roadworks to North Barnes Lane from Monday to Thursday to repair the deteriorated road surface. This will involve closures of parts of the lane at various times and residents will have been advised of the schedule. The Scout Group has kindly agreed that its car park may be utilised at appropriate times to help ease inconvenience.

FESTIVE FAIR: Don’t forget that next Saturday the annual Festive Fair will be held in the village hall from 10am until 4pm. There will be lots of gifts, food, drinks etc., on sale to help towards Christmas preparations and much of it will be locally produced. Santa is due to pay a visit and, naturally, refreshments will be available to make this a great community event. It is now being organised by the village support group for St Peter and St James Hospice.

PLUMPTON MOLES: There has been an invasion at the playing field and latest information reveals that about eight of the critters have been trapped. It is, however, believed that a couple more may still be on the loose and the hunt continues. It has been suggested that they may have leaked information that resulted in defeat for the first time this season for one of the junior football teams, well that’s Darryl Bailey’s excuse.

DON’T BE LONELY: A reminder that if you would like to enjoy some company, the Pop-in Parlour at All Saints’ church annexe operates on Tuesdays from 11am. Drop in for a cuppa, a light snack, a bowl of the Rector’s homemade soup and, most importantly, a chat with friends old and new. Absolutely everyone will receive a warm welcome. There’s no need to sit at home feeling lonely.

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